Giuliani claims Christian support

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Facing a barrage of questions about his appeal to conservative voters, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani claimed Wednesday that religious conservatives will embrace him because at least they know where he stands.

Starting a day of diner-hopping with his wife, Judith, Giuliani also accused Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) of using “a George McGovern playbook.” That was a reference to her suggestion to the Congressional Black Caucus last week that a $5,000 account be started for each child born in the United States to help them go to college or buy a home.

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Giuliani ignored a demonstrator who showed up in a Rudy mask and a dark suit, holding a plastic Little Tikes phone and wearing a hand-lettered sign, “Hold On … My Wife Is on the Phone,” a reference to the candidate’s startling decision to take a call during a recent speech to the National Rifle Association.

When reporters tried to quiz the demonstrator, he just pointed to the sign and pretended to be in earnest conversation.

Giuliani’s claim about his appeal to religious conservatives includes the implicit acknowledgment that he is not one of them. And that points to Giuliani’s dilemma in trying to appeal to the Republican Party’s base without drawing fire for pandering.

Indeed, Giuliani refused to accept the label of “effectively pro-life,” which is how a key supporter, Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), referred to the former mayor in an interview this week with CBN’s David Brody.

Asked if he embraces that label, Giuliani chuckled and said: “No. I think I’ve explained my position on that about as clearly as I can, about as often as I can. If people want to put labels on it, they can put labels on it.”

Giuliani’s remarks followed threats by several prominent social conservatives to support a third-party candidate if he wins the Republican presidential nomination.

“Maybe people of faith can respect someone who’s honest with them,” Giuliani said as a huge crush of reporters jostled for position with their microphones and tape recorders. “With me, you know what you’re going to get. I mean, I explain to you who I am. I tell you who I am. You can figure out the areas you agree, the areas you disagree. It’s not like five different positions on every issue.”